tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
AB0267 DISEASE ACTIVITY IN RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS PATIENTS STRATIFIED BY HEMOGLOBIN LEVELS: A MULTI-CENTER STUDY
Authors: M. Al-Mazedi, R. Rajan, A. Al-Herz, A. Alsaber, M. Al-Jarallah, R. Dashti, P. Setiya, K. Saleh, A. Al-Awadhi, W. Al-Kandari, E. Hasan, K. Mokadam, A. Ghanem, A. Alenizi, Z. Kobalava
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2023)

<h3>Background</h3> Anaemia is a multifactorial, pervasive, extra-articular manifestation that is a significant burden in RA. The most common types of anaemia in RA are chronic anaemia and iron-deficiency anaemia. A number of existing studies observed anaemia in 24.0%–70.6% of RA patients. <h3>Objectives</h3> The primary objective of this study was to examine the association between haemoglobin (Hb) levels and disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). <h3>Methods</h3> This retrospective study obtained data from adult RA patients with Hb reports from the Kuwait Registry for Rheumatic Diseases (KRRD). Patients were recruited from four public hospitals in Kuwait between February 2013 and February 2022. The cohort was stratified into two groups: low Hb (anaemic, ≤ 110 g/L) and high Hb (non-anaemic, &gt; 110 g/L). Demographic, treatment, clinical, and laboratory characteristics were used to compare the two Hb cohorts. Multivariate and univariate statistical analyses were used to analyse the data. <h3>Results</h3> The total number of patients visited (N<sub>v</sub>) was 11393 and consecutive patients with RA diagnoses and Hb data (N<sub>p</sub>) was 1584. Both N<sub>v</sub> and N<sub>p</sub> were included in the study. Of these, 72.5% (n = 8260) had high Hb levels and 27.5% had low Hb levels (n = 3133). The average age of the cohort was 55.9±12.5 years. Logistic regression analysis revealed that a greater number of non-Kuwaiti patients had anaemia than Kuwaiti patients [adjusted odds ratio (aOR), 1.34; 95% confidence interval (CI):1.16-1.56; <i>P</i> &lt;0.001). Patients who received biologic treatment were more likely to be non-anaemic [aOR, 1.33; 95% CI:1.23-1.45; <i>P</i> &lt;0.001). Additionally, the study demonstrated that patients with anaemia had greater odds of acquiring Disease Activity Score 28-joint count (DAS-28) ≥ 3.2 as opposed to DAS-28 &lt; 3.2 [aOR, 0.74; 95% CI:0.61-0.90; <i>P</i> =0.002]. <h3>Conclusion</h3> Lower haemoglobin levels in RA are independent predictors of disease activity. <h3>Acknowledgements</h3> I would like to acknowledge Kuwait Registry for Rheumatic Diseases (KRRD), for providing us the needed data. <h3>Disclosure of Interests</h3> None Declared.
AB0708 PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND POLYMYALGIA RHEUMATICA RISK: A MENDELIAN RANDOMIZATION STUDY
Authors: J. Y. Chen, Z. Jing, Q. Feng, Y. Feng, Q. Yu, P. F. He, X. Li, S. X. Zhang
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2023)

<h3>Background</h3> Polymyalgia rheumatica (PRM)is a chronic inflammatory disorder characterized by pain and long-term morning stiffness of the neck, shoulders, hips, upper arms, and thighs [1]. Prolonged unaccustomed exercise involving muscle lengthening (eccentric) movements can lead to ultrastructural muscle destruction, impaired excitation-contraction coupling, inflammation, and muscle protein degradation to produce muscle pain [2]. This muscle pain due to exercise may be associated with muscle pain in PRM. <h3>Objectives</h3> This study aims to discover whether physical activity affects PRM. <h3>Methods</h3> We obtained GWAS data for sedentary: Time spent watching television (n=91,084), time spent using a computer (n=360,895), and time spent driving (n=310,555). Types of physical activity included moderate physical activity 10+ minutes (n= 440,266), vigorous physical exercise 10+ minutes (n=440,512), tachometer-based physical activity, Vigorous physical activity, and moderate to vigorous physical activity (UK Biobank). GWAS of PRM included 213,145 European individuals. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that were independent (r<sup>2</sup> &lt; 0.001) and were strongly related to accelerometer-measured physical activity (p &lt; 5×10<sup>-8</sup>, F>10) were selected as instrumental variables. The inverse-variance weighted (IVW) method was the primary method, to evaluate the causal association. The weighted median, and MR-Egger were applied for further MR analysis. Cochran's Q test, MR-Egger intercept analysis, the funnel plot, and the leave-one-out analysis were used for sensitivity analysis. <h3>Results</h3> There was an inverse association between time spent using a computer with PRM (IVW OR: 0.32, 95% CI: 0.15–0.70, <i>p</i>: 0.004). No directional pleiotropy was revealed by the MR-Egger intercept analysis (<i>p</i>: 0.797). On the flip side, tachometer-based physical activity, vigorous physical activity, moderate to vigorous physical activity, moderate physical activity 10+ minutes, vigorous physical activity 10+ minutes, time spent watching TV (TV), and driving time were not associated with PRM(<i>p</i>&gt;0.05). (Figure 1) <h3>Conclusion</h3> Computer time spent is a protective factor for PRM. Conversely, excessive exercise may be a risk factor, providing new insights into the pathogenesis of PRM. <h3>References</h3> [1]Kermani TA, Warrington KJ. Polymyalgia rheumatica. Lancet. 2013 Jan 5;381(9860):63-72. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(12)60680-1. Epub 2012 Oct 8. Erratum in: Lancet. 2013 Jan 5;381(9860):28. [2]Baumert P, Lake MJ, Stewart CE, Drust B, Erskine RM. Genetic variation and exercise-induced muscle damage: implications for athletic performance, injury and ageing. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2016 Sep;116(9):1595-625. doi: 10.1007/s00421-016-3411-1. Epub 2016 Jun 13. <h3>Acknowledgements:</h3> NIL. <h3>Disclosure of Interests</h3> None Declared.
POS1076 ARE DISEASE-MODIFYING ANTIRHEUMATIC DRUGS FOR RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS ASSOCIATED WITH A LOWER RISK OF DEMENTIA? A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW WITH META-ANALYSIS
Authors: W. Xie, Z. Zhang
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2023)

<h3>Background</h3> Dysregulation of several inflammatory cytokines including tumor necrosis factor (TNF) in dementia patients has also been identified as a key factor in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Existing epidemiologic evidence suggests an increased risk of incident dementia associated with RA. Modulating systemic inflammation with disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) is hypothesized to attenuate the development of dementia. <h3>Objectives</h3> We aimed to investigate the association of DMARDs therapy for RA with risk of incident dementia. <h3>Methods</h3> Electronic database searches of PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane Library were performed. Observational studies that assessed the association of dementia with DMARDs in RA were included. Pooled risk ratios (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used as summary statistic, with either fixed-effects or random-effects model. The certainty of evidence using the GRADE system. <h3>Results</h3> A total of 14 studies involving 940,442 patients with RA were finally included. Compared with conventional synthetic DMARDs, a 24% reduction in dementia risk was found with biological DMARDs overall (RR 0.76, 95% CI 0.72-0.80, n=9 studies), with 24% for TNF inhibitors (RR 0.76, 95% CI 0.71-0.82), 24% for non-TNF biologics (RR 0.76, 95% CI 0.70-0.83). There was a significant subgroup effect among different types of TNF inhibitors (RR 0.58, 0.65, 0.80 for etanercept, adalimumab, infliximab, respectively; P-value between groups=0.002). However, compared with nonusers of investigative treatment, no significant effect on dementia incidence was observed in those receiving conventional synthetic DMARDs overall (RR 0.84, 95% CI 0.59-1.20), methotrexate (RR 0.78, 95% CI 0.54-1.12), hydroxychloroquine (RR 0.95, 95% CI 0.63-1.44), except for sulfasalazine with its seemingly detrimental effect (RR 1.27, 95% CI 1.06-1.50). <h3>Conclusion</h3> Biological DMARDs for RA are associated with decreased risk of dementia, while the protective effect is not observed in conventional synthetic DMARDs. Future interventional studies may be worth considering. <h3>REFERENCES:</h3> NIL. <h3>Acknowledgements:</h3> NIL. <h3>Disclosure of Interests</h3> None Declared.
Mortality among individuals prescribed opioid-agonist therapy in Scotland, UK, 2011–20: a national retrospective cohort study
Authors: Andrew McAuley, Rosalyn Fraser, Megan Glancy, Alan Yeung, Hayley E Jones, Peter Vickerman, Hannah Fraser, Lara Allen, Scott A McDonald, Jack Stone, Dave Liddell, Lee Barnsdale, Saket Priyadarshi, Andreas Markoulidakis, Matthew Hickman, Sharon J Hutchinson
Journal: The Lancet Public Health (2023)

Drug-related death (DRD) rate in Scotland, UK, has increased rapidly to one of the highest in the world. Our aim was to examine the extent to which opioid-agonist therapy (OAT) in Scotland is protective against drug-related mortality and how this effect has varied over time.
AB0392 RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS-ASSOCIATED INTERSTITIAL LUNG DISEASE: RISK FACTORS
Authors: M. Slouma, S. Bouzid, L. Metoui, R. Dhahri, I. Gharsallah, B. Louzir
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2023)

<h3>Background</h3> Interstitial lung disease (ILD), a severe extra-articular manifestation of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), contributes to significantly increased morbidity and mortality [1]. <h3>Objectives</h3> Our study aimed to determine the risk factors of RA-associated ILD. <h3>Methods</h3> We conducted a retrospective, monocentric study over 4 years (2018-2022). Patients with RA, fulfilling the ACR/EULAR 2010, were included. ILD was defined as the presence of a radiologist-defined pattern consistent with ILD on chest computed tomography. Potential risk factors included age, sex, smoking, obesity, immunopositivity, extra-articular manifestations, disease activity, and medications. A statistical study was carried out using SPSS software. <h3>Results</h3> We included 128 patients with RA. The mean age was 53,03±12,87 years, with a male-to-female ratio of 0,31. The mean disease duration was 8,88±7,33 years. Nineteen patients had a confirmed ILD. Usual interstitial pneumonia was the most frequent subtype of ILD (63%, n=12). Using logistic regression analysis, the significant risk factors of ILD were: age (&gt;60 years) (OR=29,516, IC95% [1,416-615,176], <b>p=0,029</b>), the erosive nature of RA (OR=24,302, IC95% [1,185-498,175], <b>p=0,038</b>), the presence of cutaneous rheumatoid nodules (OR=52,558, IC95% [1,696-1628,890], <b>p=0,024</b>) and ocular involvement (OR=45,377, IC95% [1,825-1128,183], <b>p=0,020</b>). <h3>Conclusion</h3> Our study showed that older patients (age&gt;60 years), with an erosive RA, cutaneous rheumatoid nodules, and ocular manifestations are at higher risk of developing ILD. These findings suggest that an early screening of ILD in these patients can be advised. <h3>Reference</h3> [1] Hyldgaard C, Hilberg O, Pedersen AB, Ulrichsen SP, Løkke A, Bendstrup E, et al. A population-based cohort study of rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease: comorbidity and mortality. Ann Rheum Dis. Oct 2017;76(10):1700‑6. <h3>Acknowledgements:</h3> NIL. <h3>Disclosure of Interests</h3> None Declared.
AB0632 THE ASSOCIATION OF NEUROPATHIC PAIN WITH LOWER URINARY SYMPTOM SEVERITY IN PRIMARY SJÖGREN’S PATIENTS
Authors: N. Erdik, A. Erdik, D. Karatas, G. Yavuzbilge, S. M. Türk, C. Arslantürk Güneysu, E. Gönüllü
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2023)

<h3>Background</h3> Primary Sjögren's syndrome(PSS) is a systemic autoimmune disease characterized by xerophthalmia and xerostomia and is associated with systemic visceral involvement. A wide variety of neurological complications also are characteristic features of PSS [1]. Patients with PSS can suffer from severe neuropathic pain with small fiber neuropathy. <h3>Objectives</h3> It is aimed to investigate the presence of neuropathic pain in patients with SS and to evaluate the severity of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in patients with or without neuropathic pain. <h3>Methods</h3> Sixty-two patients, including fifty-nine women diagnosed with Sjögren's Syndrome at Sakarya University Faculty of Medicine, Internal Medicine Rheumatology Department, were included in the study after their informed consent was obtained. All patients fulfilled the criteria for the 2016 ACR/EULAR Classification for Primary Sjögren's Syndrome. Neuropathic pain was divided into two groups, present and absent. International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) was used in the evaluation of LUTS and The Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Sign Pain Scale (LANSS Pain Scale) was used for the assessment of neuropathic pain. Data were analyzed using the computer program SPSS 21. Relationships between categorical variables were evaluated with Chi-square analysis. The relationship between IPSS and LANSS Pain Scale was evaluated by spearman correlation analysis. p&lt;0.05 was considered statistically significant. <h3>Results</h3> The mean age of the patients was 53.4±11.6 years. The median disease duration was seven years (min-max: 0-40). Neuropathic pain (LANSS Pain Scale&gt;12) was observed in 18 (29%) patients. According to the LUTS questionnaire, 35(56.5%) patients were in the mild LUTS(IPSS&lt;8), and 27(43.5%) patients were in the moderate and severe LUTS(IPSS≥8) group. The severity of LUTS was significantly higher in patients with neuropathic pain (Table 1). There was a moderate positive correlation between the IPSS score and the LANSS Pain scale (r=0.359 p=0.004). <h3>Conclusion</h3> In conclusion, LUTS should be questioned when neuropathic pain is observed in SS patients. Initiation of neuropathic pain treatment in SS patients may prevent the symptom severity of LUTS. <h3>Reference</h3> [1]Mori K, Iijima M, Koike H, et al. The wide spectrum of clinical manifestations in Sjögren's syndrome-associated neuropathy. <i>Brain</i>. 2005;128(Pt 11):2518-2534. <h3>Acknowledgements:</h3> NIL. <h3>Disclosure of Interests</h3> None Declared.
AB0713 FREQUENCY OF TUBERCULOSIS AND ASSOCIATED RISK FACTORS IN PATIENTS WITH BEHÇET’S SYNDROME
Authors: M. Yildirim, S. N. Esatoglu, Y. Ozguler, M. Melikoglu, I. Fresko, V. Hamuryudan, G. Hatemi
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2023)

<h3>Background</h3> A considerable number of patients with Behçet's syndrome (BS) have vitreous cells on slit lamp examination at the time of diagnosis. However, the prognostic importance of vitreous cells (VC) and their association with the development of posterior uveitis (PU) requiring immunosuppressive treatment is unknown. <h3>Objectives</h3> We aimed to determine the prognostic importance of VU in BS patients. <h3>Methods</h3> The charts of 572 consecutive BS patients fulfilling ISG criteria who were registered between 2010 and 2012 were reviewed. At baseline visit 164 patients had VC in one eye or both eyes. Among the remaining patients, 229 had no eye involvement, 116 patients had bilateral pan or posterior uveitis, 14 had unilateral pan or posterior uveitis and no eye involvement in the other eye, 20 had isolated anterior uveitis, and 29 had insufficient data in their medical records. Among the 164 patients with VC, 110 patients with a follow-up of ≥2 years were included in this study (Figure 1). <h3>Results</h3> At baseline, among the 111 included patients (68 men, mean ± SD age: 31±9 years), 61 had VC in both eyes, 34 had VC in only one eye, and 15 had VC in one eye and PU in the other eye. There was anterior uveitis (AU) in addition to VC in the same eye in 13 patients at baseline (Figure 1). New PU developed in 26 (24%) patients during a mean follow-up of 1.9±1.1 years.7 patients that developed PU in the eye with VC had had PU in the contralateral eye at baseline. This means 7 of 15 patients with VC in one eye and PU in the contralateral eye developed bilateral PU despite treatment. 2 of these 7 patients had developed AU before they developed PU. Additionally, 6 patients that developed PU in the eye with VC had anterior uveitis in the same eye at baseline. <h3>Conclusion</h3> Careful follow-up is required for patients with VC since one quarter developed PU within 2 years. The presence of PU in the contralateral eye and AU in the same eye may be risk factors for the development of PU in patients with VC. <h3>REFERENCES:</h3> NIL. <h3>Acknowledgements:</h3> NIL. <h3>Disclosure of Interests</h3> None Declared.
AB0742 STEROID-SPARING EFFECT OF METHOTREXATE IN PATIENTS WITH STEROID-RESISTANT POLYMYALGIA RHEUMATICA: MULTICENTER RETROSPECTIVE OBSERVATIONAL STUDY
Authors: O. Rusinovich, E. Calvo-Aranda, M. Perez Ferro, J. B. Polo Y La Borda, V. Garcia Garcia, P. Navarro, M. Cantalejo Moreira, A. J. Diaz Oca, P. Navarro Palomo, M. Machattou, M. Alonso de Francisco, C. Navarro Joven, M. Fernandez Castro, H. Godoy, C. Merino Argumánez, B. Garcia-Magallon, J. Sanz, C. Barbadillo Mateos, L. F. De Villa, C. Isasi Zaragoza, J. Campos Esteban, S. Gonzalo Pascua, J. L. Andréu Sánchez
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2023)

<h3>Background</h3> Polymyalgia rheumatica is a common inflammatory rheumatic disease affecting people older than 50. It is characterized by simmetrical pain and stiffness of the neck, shoulder, and pelvic girdle and associated with an increase in the concentration of positive acute phase reactants. The diagnosis is based on a clinical picture. Initial treatment consists of corticosteroids, and initial doses of 15 to 20 mg of prednisone or equivalent are usually adequate in most cases. The subgroup of patients that responds only partially to corticosteroids or develops corticosteroid resistance usually requires the introduction of a corticosteroid-sparing drug, methotrexate being the most widely used in routine clinical practice. <h3>Objectives</h3> To evaluate the efficacy and safety of methotrexate in patients with steroid-resistant polymyalgia rheumatica in real clinical practice. <h3>Methods</h3> Retrospective multicenter descriptive study of patients diagnosed with polymyalgia rheumatica in three hospitals in Madrid (Spain) treated with methotrexate as a corticosteroid-sparing agent. Clinical and demographic characteristics of the sample were analyzed and laboratory data evolution were evaluated by collecting positive acute phase reactants (ARF) (erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP)) at baseline, at 6 and 12 months of treatment. Descriptive statistics were used for data presentation. The Wilcoxon test for paired data was used to contrast statistical significance, with a p&lt;0.05 being considered significant. <h3>Results</h3> Overall, 58 patients were included: 26 men (44.83%) and 32 women (55.17%), with a mean age of 78.58 (±7.3) years, mean disease duration of 7.46. (±5.78) years. The mean values of CRP, ESR, dose of prednisone and MTX at baseline, at 6 and 12 months of treatment are shown in Table 1. In 52 (89.66%) patients it was possible to reduce the dose of prednisone to &lt;5mg/24h after 12 months of treatment. No significant liver function abnormalities were observed in any of the patients. <h3>Conclusion</h3> As a therapeutic option in steroid-resistant polymyalgia rheumatica, methotrexate seems to offer a steroid-sparing effect at 6 and 12 months of treatment. The treatment is well tolerated. <h3>References</h3> no. <h3>Acknowledgements:</h3> NIL. <h3>Disclosure of Interests</h3> None Declared.
AB1521 DOES PATIENT POSITION AFFECT COMMON FEMORAL VEIN WALL THICKNESS MEASUREMENT BY DOPPLER ULTRASONOGRAPHY AS A DIAGNOSTIC TEST?
Authors: R. Ergelen, S. Kutluğ Ağaçkiran, H. Direskeneli, F. Alibaz-Oner
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2023)

<h3>Background</h3> We reported the first controlled Doppler ultrasound (US) study demonstrating increased common femoral vein (CFV) thickness in Behçet's Disease (BD) [1]. We also recently showed that this is a distinctive feature of BD, rarely present in other inflammatory diseases with a specificity higher than 80% for the cut-off value of ≥ 0.5 mm [2]. Standart lower extremity venous Doppler US is performed in erect position for venous thrombosis or insufficiency [3]. However, we measured CFV thickness in supine position in our previous studies. <h3>Objectives</h3> In this study, we aimed to assess CFV wall thickness measurement by Doppler US both in supine and erect positions to validate the accuracy and practicability of this diagnostic method in BD. <h3>Methods</h3> We included 42 patients (Male/Female:27/15, mean age:39.8 (10.04) years) with a diagnosis of BD and sex and age-matched 41 healthy controls (Male/Female:21/18, mean age: 36.5 (8.4) years). The clinical data were recorded during routine visits. Bilateral CFV thickness was measured with Doppler US both in erect and supine positions by an experienced radiologist on the same day. <h3>Results</h3> Clinical characteristics of BD patients were given in <i>Table 1.</i> Bilateral CFV wall thickness was significantly higher in BD than in healthy controls (0.74 vs 0.18 mm, p&lt;0.001 for right, 0.74 vs 0.19 mm, p&lt;0.001 for left). There was no statistically significant difference between erect and supine positioned measurements of CFV wall thickness both in BD and healthy control groups <i>(Figure 1).</i> <h3>Conclusion</h3> CFV measurement by Doppler US is a new, accurate and non-invasive diagnostic tool for the diagnosis of BD. Although lower extremity venous Doppler US is performed in erect position for the assessment of venous thrombosis or insufficiency, our study confirmed that patient position does not affect CFV wall thickness measurement. Both erect and supine positioned CFV wall thickness measurements can be done accurately for the diagnosis of BD. <h3>References</h3> [1]Alibaz-Oner F, et al. Venous vessel wall thickness in the lower extremity is increased in male patients with Behcet's disease. Clin Rheumatol 2019;38:1447-51. [2]Alibaz-Oner F, et al. Femoral vein wall thickness measurement: A new diagnostic tool for Behcet's disease. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2021 Jan 5;60(1):288-296. [3]AIUM Practice Parameter for the Performance of a Peripheral Venous Ultrasound Examination. J Ultrasound Med. 2020 May;39(5):E49-E56 <h3>Acknowledgements:</h3> NIL. <h3>Disclosure of Interests</h3> None Declared.